Handyman license requirements in Colorado

By PlainJob · Updated October 13, 2026 · 3 min read

Short answer: Colorado has no state handyman or general contractor license. Cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder and Fort Collins license contractors themselves, and electrical and plumbing need a state license.

General information, not legal advice. Checked October 13, 2026 against the sources below. Rules change, so confirm with the agency before you take a job.

State rules

Colorado doesn't license handymen or general contractors at the state level. The state licenses electricians and plumbers through the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), and that work needs a license at any job size.

Local rules

Most of the licensing happens locally. Denver, Colorado Springs (through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department), Boulder and Fort Collins all license contractors who pull building permits. The usual dividing line is the permit: painting, patching and small repairs that don't need one typically don't need a contractor license either. Check with each city and county you work in.

Official sources

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Questions

Do you need a license to be a handyman in Colorado?

Not from the state. Many cities license contractors who pull permits, and electrical and plumbing work always needs a state license.